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Responsibility for data protection policy and sponsorship of the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has transferred from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Prime Minister David Cameron confirmed the changes in a written ministerial statement on the website of the Houses of Parliament. These changes became effective from 17 September 2015. The Lord Chancellor's responsibilities under the Public Records Act 1958 and associated legislation will therefore be transferred as necessary to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, John Whittingdale. This change will see responsibility for data protection policy as well as sponsorship of The National Archives and the ICO move to the DCMS. DCMS already sponsors Ofcom, the independent communications regulator.

The rationale behind the ICO's move away from the MoJ is to preserve its independence. At present the ICO has business with and engages with several Whitehall departments which can be seen as a conflict of interest if it were not kept separate and independent.

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